Dominican Friars
Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

Know Before You Go

Know Before You Go

Explore the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with Father Scott Steinkerchner! Discover the history behind this important day, tracing it back to St. Helena and the discovery of the True Cross relics. Learn about the significance of the cross, not as an object of miraculous power, but as a symbol of Jesus's ultimate sacrifice and the path to eternal life. Understand the connection between the serpent in the desert, Nicodemus, and the call to pour ourselves out in service to others. #ExaltationOfTheCross #HolyCross #TrueCross #CatholicFeast #Christianity #Faith #StHelena #Nicodemus #SerpentInTheDesert #EternalLife

Chapters:

0:00 Intro: Holy Cross Feast
0:30 History & St. Helena
1:16 Finding the True Cross
1:47 Meaning of the Cross
2:31 St. Cyril & Relics
3:14 Gospel: Nicodemus
3:55 Serpent in the Desert
5:26 Remedy, Not Removal
6:24 Hymn & Theology
7:32 True Saving Power
8:09 Saved Through Him
8:48 Embrace the Cross
 

Dominican recording video

Know Before You Go is a ministry of the provincial office to help people prepare to hear the readings and preaching of the approaching Sunday's Mass. We welcome any feedback you have at know@opcentral.org . You can see them all below, or you can see other preaching by a particular person by clicking on his name.

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  •

    Meals, from Fast Food to Eucharist | 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

    In this Know Before You Go video, Fr. Charlie Bouchard explores the deeper meaning of meals in scripture, moving beyond simple etiquette to understand sacramental dining. This Sunday reflection on the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time examines three types of meals: functional, social, and sacramental - focusing on how Jesus's four meals with the Pharisees in Luke's Gospel reveal the transformative power of humble encounter. Learn why humility, not humiliation, is essential for authentic spiritual transformation and how every Eucharist calls us to "come as you are" while leaving pretense behind.
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    21st Sunday in Ordinary Time | The Narrow Gate - Immigration, Ukraine & Social Justice

    Connecting Luke's Gospel about the "narrow gate" to modern immigration issues, the Ukraine war, and Christian social justice. Speaking from Chicago's Martin dePorres Community Chapel, Fr. Curran challenges Catholics to see refugees and immigrants as God's messengers, drawing parallels between Isaiah's "fugitives" and today's displaced peoples. This Catholic sermon addresses real-world applications of Gospel teachings on dignity, inclusion, and Christian responsibility in times of crisis.
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    The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    The video powerfully connects ancient biblical themes of prophetic courage with contemporary challenges. The informal garage setting and family context make the message very relatable while addressing serious themes about standing up for justice, trusting God when facing consequences, and the call for all Christians to be prophetic voices in today's world. Karen's story provides a concrete example of what prophetic action looks like in professional healthcare settings.
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    The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Join Fr. James Marchionda, OP as he breaks open the readings for the Know Before You Go video for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Some of the themes explored are: Faith over sight, Preparedness for God's presence, Responsibility that comes with blessing, Daily discipleship, Biblical study for 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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    The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Your Better Self

    Join Fr. Charlie Bouchard, OP in this Know Before You Go video for the Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. In his Letter to the Colossians, Paul reminds us that as Christians, we have all put on a new self, which brings with it a new and more exalted identity. We need to live up to this new identity, lest we be hypocrites... or, as Qoheleth reminds us in the first reading, lest it be "vanity of vanities."
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    The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Forgive One Another

    Join Fr. Brendan Curran, OP in this Know Before You Go video for the Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. In the first reading (Genesis 18:20-32), Moses and God go to Sodom, where people have been gossiping about how bad they are. Moses gets God to admit that he is in the end forgiving, and would forgive Sodom for the smallest reason. Are we quick to condemn groups of people (think immigrants, muslims) because we have heard rumors about them?
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    The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Join Fr. Charlie Bouchard, OP in this Know Before You Go video for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the first reading, Abraham unknowingly offers hospitality to angels. In the Gospel, Jesus' friend Mary sits at his feet listening to his teaching, leaving her sister Martha to do the work of hospitality. Fr. Charlie uses this scene to break open the Christian understanding of the relationship between contemplation and action, showing how be all need to do both and to let each one inform the other. He also puts forth that contemplation is like offering hospitality to God within your own heart.
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    The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Join Fr. James Marchionda, OP in this Know Before You Go video for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. In our first reading from Deuteronomy, we learn that God's Law is already inside us. We don't need to go looking for it.
    In the second reading from Paul's Letter to the Colossians, we hear of how Christ is the center of all things.
    For a Gospel, we have the classic parable of the Good Samaritan, and are confronted with the question of who is our neighbor today? If it is the one in front of us in need, it seems as if the answer in the United States is the recent immigrant. What should we do about that as faithful Christians?
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    The Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Join Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP in this Know Before You Go video for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. In our first reading, we have a lovely image of God as our Mother. We know that God transcends our human male/female divides, but we don't often use these feminine images of God, so they are to be treasured.

    In the Gospel we have Jesus sending out the 72 ahead of him to prepare the way. They are to take nothing for the journey, and are to preach a simple message of peace and to heal those who are willing to accept it. Can we be simply people of peace instead of people who argue for our point of view? Can we measure success by finding signs of the Kingdom of Heaven in our world and bringing it peace rather than using other "worldly" measures?
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    The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

    In this Know Before You Go video, Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP reflects on the readings for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, exploring Peter and Paul's contrasting personalities and leadership styles through different readings from the vigil and daytime Masses. Their lives and ministries reveal the diversity of ways God calls leaders, highlighting that faithfulness—not uniformity—is what unites the Church.
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    The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

    Join Fr. James Marchionda, OP in the Know Before You Go video for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. Surprisingly, we get Jesus' words instituting the Eucharist not in the Gospel, but from the second readings, Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. The Gospel challenges us with a feeding miracle of Jesus from Luke in which Jesus challenges the twelve to feed the crowds themselves. Fr. Jim then relates this with similar calls from Pope Francis and Pope Leo for us all to do something to care for refugees and migrants.
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    The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

    Join Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP in the Know Before You Go video for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. As Christians, we believe in the One God, who created heaven and earth, and also that the One God exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Here we explore what it means to believe in a God that fundamentally three in one, a community of love whose unity preserves the diversity of each.
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    Pentecost

    Join Fr. Charlie Bouchard O.P. of the Dominican Friars (Province of St. Albert the Great) for a powerful homily on the Feast of Pentecost where we dive deep into the coming of the Holy Spirit, the "Forgotten Person of the Trinity" if you're seeking a meaningful Pentecost reflection, tools to discern your spiritual gifts, or a deeper encounter with the Holy Spirit, this Catholic homily offers clarity, encouragement, and spiritual depth.
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    Ascension Sunday

    Join Fr. Brendan Curran, OP in exploring the readings for Ascension Sunday, where we don't so much celebrate Jesus' leaving, but in his leaving his mission to us, promising the gifts of the Holy Spirit to enable us to accomplish it.
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    Unity, Boundaries, the Holy Spirit & God’s Victory (Catholic Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter)

    Join Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP as he breaks open the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter. This Sunday there are many options, but it begins with setting boundaries in the new Christian community (Acts 15), then the Book of Revelation's promise that Jesus will return and remake the world, and finally a promise from the Gospel of John either that God will send the Holy Spirit to keep us bound as one or that God's love will bind us together.
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    The Fifth Sunday of Easter

    God’s promise of a “new heaven and new earth” isn’t just for the future—it begins today through our choices. God dwells with us NOW. Are we building His kingdom—or tearing it down?
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    The Fourth Sunday of Easter

    The Fourth Sunday of Easter scriptures shed light on the significant events of Pope Francis' passing and the election of Pope Leo XIV. Discover surprising parallels in the readings about community, leadership (the Lamb and Shepherd), and the joy of the Gospel message for all.
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    The Third Sunday of Easter

    In this insightful homily, Br. Joe explores the Gospel of John (John 21:1-19), where the Risen Jesus appears to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. Why did Simon Peter go back to fishing? Br. Joe delves into the disciples' confusion after the Resurrection and how Peter returned to what he knew. Discover how this moment becomes a "second calling," mirroring their first encounter with Christ and commissioning them for a new ministry.
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    Divine Mercy Sunday

    Listen to this explanation of the readings by Fr. Brendan Curran, OP, for the Second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday. Preached in Puerto Rico, this reflection draws inspiration from the Acts of the Apostles and the powerful ways God worked through the early Church. The homily also includes a remembrance of the recently deceased Pope Francis, offering a message of hope and continuity in faith during times of transition.
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    Easter Sunday: He is Risen! Embrace New Life!

    Join us as we explore the profound mystery of the empty tomb as recounted in the Gospels of John (Chapter 20) and Luke. We'll unpack the experiences of Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John as they encounter the first signs of Jesus' triumph over death – the rolled-away stone, the burial cloths, the angelic message: "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?"
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    The Fifth Sunday of Lent

    This week, we explore God's promise of "something new" from Isaiah, St. Paul's relentless pursuit of Christ in Philippians, and the powerful Gospel story of Jesus, the woman caught in adultery, and the law written in stone versus the mercy written in sand.
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    The Fourth Sunday of Lent: Repairing What's Broken

    Join Br. Joe Trout, OP as he reflects on the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent and how God works to make us better people. Time and again we see in the scriptures that the people God chooses are not necessarily the best people. They are not perfect, but God works with them to fix their faults and make them into better people.
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